Graptophyllum pictum
(L.) Griffith
Caricature Plant
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Summary
Source: WikipediaGraptophyllum pictum, the caricature-plant, is a shrub in the family Acanthaceae. It is native to New Guinea, also a well-known garden shrub. There are two varieties: the variegated color one is known as 'white adulsa', and is used combined with coconut water to reduce swelling. The dark-leaved variety is known with trade name 'black adulsa' in India.
Description
An evergreen shrub 2-3 m high. The leaves are up to 15 cm long and 6 cm wide and coloured. They can be green, silver, yellow or red. The leaves have markings like writing on them. The leaves occur opposite one another. The edges of the leaves can be irregular and wavy. The leaf stalk is 2-4 cm long. The flowers are reddish purple in clusters on the tops of plants. The flower clusters are 8 cm long and the flowers have an inflated throat. The lip of the flower is dark red. The fruit is a capsule which is often beaked. It is 3-4 cm long. There can be up to 4 seeds.
Edible Uses
Young leaves are cooked and eaten, and the flowers are used to make tea.
Traditional Uses
The young leaves are cooked and eaten.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The leaves are emollient and resolvent. They might also be diuretic. An infusion is taken as a remedy for constipation. They are used externally, often as a poultice, in the treatment of various conditions including cuts, ulcers, scorpion stings and swellings. A poultice of the leaves is applied to the breasts to relieve inflammatory obstruction to the flow of milk. The leaves are pounded in hot water and applied as paste for relieving headaches. The mottled-leafed variety is pounded with coconut milk and then used to reduce swellings. The juice of the plant is squeezed into the ear as a remedy for earaches. It is applied to the skin as a treatment for certain skin complaints. A decoction of the flowers is taken to promote menstruation. An ethanol extract of the plant has shown both anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. Flavonoids found in one of the fractions was assumed to be partly responsibgle for the antiinflammatory effect. A study of the plant extract on the growth of plaque on an acrylic resin complete denture showed inhibition of plaque growth, with highest growth inhibition on 40% extract of the plant. The ethanol extract has shown oxytocic activity comparable to oxytocin, whilst the aqueous extract reduced the normal contraction of the uterine strip. The results support the use of the plant in traditional medicine as a delivery aid and also suggest a possible use as a contraceptive.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows naturally in the New Guinea region. It mostly occurs in coastal areas below 800 m altitude. It grows in sago swamps. They need a temperature above 13°C. The green form often grows naturally in forests on coral. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.
Where It Grows
American Samoa, Asia, Australia, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Hawaii, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marquesas, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Rotuma, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies,
Cultivation
It can be grown from cuttings of young wood with a heel attached. Plants can be grown from seed. The temperature needs to be above 19-24°C. Picking out the tips increases the branching.
Other Uses
The leaves contain saponins and can be used as a soap substitute. The plant responds well to trimming and is widely used as a hedge.
Notes
There are 10 Graptophyllum species. They are in the tropics.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Badem, Bai tawng, Bai-ngoen-bai-thawng, Bai-ngun, Benalu, Daun ungu, Demung, Graptofilo, Handeleum, Igomor, Jamaican croton, Kalaadulsa, Kroton kamaika, Mamelegue, Mandara, Maradong-puti, Ngoc diep, Ponge gune, Puding, Tulak, Tulak kembang ungu, White adulsa, Wungu, Ysjudemaram
References (30)
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